Study about Distress Seeks Bi Women to Participate

An assistant professor from the psychology department of the University of Missouri in Kanas City, Missouri is seeking bisexual women to participate in a study about their experience involving distress and discrimination.

There’s an online survey that they are asking you to take, and they want you to talk a half hour to about 45 minutes to conduct the questionnaire. When you fill out the survey, your name is entered in a raffle where you could win one of six $25 Amazon cards.

This is just in time for the kick-off of Bisexual Health Month, which is the month of March, and many bi leaders are emphasizing bisexual health and issues around it during the month.

The researchers for the study called: “Bisexual Women’s Experiences of Discrimination and Distress” are Laurel B. Watson, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator), Mirella Flores (Student Co-Researcher) and Jenna Brownfield (Student Co-Researcher). It is being conducted through the University of Missouri-Kansas City and they have asked leaders in the bi community to spread the word to potential participants.

Research studies only include people who choose to take part. There is a consent form that explains possible risks, discomforts, and benefits if you consent to be in the study. They expect about 200 or more participants.

There are simple requirements:

a) identify as a bisexual woman,

b) are 18 years of age or older,

c) reside in the United States, and

d) are able to read the English language.

The reason for the study is to show that bisexual women encounter unique forms of discrimination. “These experiences of discrimination may be related to harmful mental health outcomes among bisexual individuals,” according to Watson. “We hope to learn more about how bisexual women cope with these experiences, and how these coping mechanisms may relate to mental health concerns. We also hope to learn more about factors that may protect bisexual women from harmful outcomes.”

Here is the letter from the chief of the study:

Dear Potential Participant,

My name is Laurel Watson, and I’m an assistant professor of counseling psychology at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. I am currently conducting a study regarding bisexual women’s experiences of discrimination and distress. In order to participate, you must a) identify as a bisexual women, b) be 18 years of age or older, c) live in the United States, and d) be able to read the English language.

If you are interested in participating, you will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey that will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes, one time only. If you are interested in participating, please click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bisexualwomen

Or, if you would like further information, please email Laurel Watson at [email protected]

For your participation, you may choose to enter a raffle to win one of six $25.00 Amazon.com gift cards.

This study, protocol number 15-025, has been approved by University of Missouri, Kansas City’s Institutional Review Board. If you have any concerns about your rights as a participant your concerns please call 816-235-5927

Although there are no physical risks, or costs, involved in the study, they warn “you may experience mild psychological discomfort when answering some of the survey questions, which include questions about discrimination and distress.” There are no other known risks to you if you choose to take part in this study. If you feel that you have been injured as a result of participating in this study, please call the UMKC IRB administrator at (816) 235-5927. You may also click here to receive a list of low cost counseling referrals.

Mike Szymanski has written about bisexual issues since 1989 and has one of the longest-running regular bisexual columns as the National Bisexuality Examiner. He came out as bisexual in a cover story of Genre magazine, which resulted in more than 50 television appearances, including Ricki Lake, Phil Donahue Show and 20/20. Szymanski won the Lambda Literary Award in 2007 for co-authoring an informative humor book “The Bisexual’s Guide to the Universe: Quips, Tips and Lists for Those Who Go Both Ways.” Write him at [email protected]